Wednesday, August 22, 2012

I bet I wasn't the only person whose eyes widened to see the "CMS has a crisis of heart" piece on the Viewpoint page of Sunday's Observer.

It's not that I was shocked to read about a pervasive climate of fear that stifles the joy of teaching. Anyone who has been paying attention has heard similar complaints, including plenty posted in comments on this blog.

It's that two Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools social workers confronted the issue in print, with their names attached. After all, the whole thing about a climate of fear is that it tends to drive resentment underground. I can't even tally the times CMS employees have urged me to write about adult bullying or bad morale but said they wouldn't dare be quoted.

Sherman

And that's exactly why Barry Sherman, who's starting a new post at Bruns Academy this year, thought it was important to do what he did. He says he was driven by a combination of frustration with what he's seen in recent years and hope that Superintendent Heath Morrison is serious about creating a better climate.

Sherman has worked for CMS off and on for about a dozen years, and been assigned to about that many schools. He has seen the ranks of fellow school social workers slashed by budget cuts. He has heard teachers and principals complain privately about a hostile, punitive climate.

He was also inspired by what he read in Morrison's entry plan about making sure employees feel energized, engaged and valued. Morrison has asked employees to work with him to make that happen. Sherman thought a public letter might inspire others. "When fear and silence and isolation take root," he said, it can be hard to embrace optimism and take a chance on change.

Sherrill

Sherman says he wrote a first draft in June. In the ensuing weeks, he shared it with half a dozen trusted people who don't work for CMS and about 10 who do. He said he wanted to make sure he was accurately reflecting the mood, and that others thought it an open letter would be constructive. He wanted to recruit several co-authors because "I do not want this to be a Barry Sherman thing." But the folks on the Observer's editorial staff limited him to two authors, he said. Bevelyn Sherrill, a social worker who is also starting a new assignment this year, agreed to sign on and help him with the final version.

When Sherman and Sherrill learned their piece was about to run, they notified their principals and sent Morrison a copy, Sherman said. Morrison thanked them and encouraged them to be part of the ongoing discussions (see a schedule of meetings for the public and employees here). After a panel discussion on education Monday night, Sherman introduced himself to Morrison. "He expressed excitement," Sherman said. "It was awesome."

Since Sunday, Sherman says, he and Sherrill have been getting compliments from current and former CMS employees, as well as community members. One teacher said she started crying as she read the piece aloud to her husband because it hit so close to home.

So what's next? Morrison will lay out his plans for CMS sometime after his 100th day in the job, probably in early December. In his former job in Reno, Nev., he worked with staff to craft a "Culture of Respect" agreement. That was slow work, and it's pretty clear that making deep change in a workforce of more than 18,000 will take time as well.

In the meantime, I'll keep reporting on the process and the challenges. And here's what I'd ask from readers who are in the thick of things: Let me know about the people and places that are leading CMS in the right direction. The heart of CMS may be ailing, but I know it hasn't flatlined.

Pinewood teachers at the Firebird

The other morning, for instance, I came across a group of Pinewood Elementary teachers running around the Firebird statue, flapping their arms like wings. They were doing an uptown scavenger hunt and learning to make movies with their iPads. Their joy and energy as they prepared for a new school year was a much-needed reminder that it's not all about test scores. And they volunteered their enthusiasm about their principal, Trish Sexton, whom I'd profiled a few years ago when she was taking on a tough assignment in her first post as principal.

I know there are others -- principals, teachers, and yes, high-level administrators -- who defy all the obstacles to create a culture of heart. Let's hold them up as an example.

41
comments:

Anonymous
said...

Three words came to my mind as I read Barry and Bevelyn's letter the other day. These two are either insane, naive or courageous! I happen to know both and have had more than one conversations with them about things CMS. Their assessment of current/past is right on target. CMS leadership has got to start treating it's staff with respect. Morrison has got to start weeding out abusive and punitive administrators.....and that is going to have to include some of his current regional superintendents, some folks at HR and some principals. He is going to have to not only verbalize this, he is going to have to act. I hope Morrison is a man of his word and acts accordingly and not just a man of words and not actions. Thanks Barry and Bevelyn for having more courage than I do.

These authors are certainly not the "first" people to describe the toxic environment with CMS-HR issues. They're just the most "recent."

How many people will it take, telling the same stories, before Dr. Morrison takes action? Why do we need to wait until the end of his 100 days? This kind of destructive behavior needs to stop TODAY.

At last Wednesday's BOE Meeting, I looked Dr. Morrison right in the eye, and talked to him about his "Employee Town Hall Meetings." I said if he is really interested in hearing the truth from teachers, that he cannot have ANY school-level leadership, nor ANY Central Office personnel at these meetings.

Wouldn't this exclusion of administration be a really EASY step to show support for our teachers? I guess we'll find out at the next meeting on September 18th at Butler HS.

Heath , Will it take you 100 days to get a haircut? No then start taking action as our school year approaches. I went to a school last night with 20 new underqualifed teachers in it. Does that make me feel happy and joyous at the level of education my child will get this year? NOPE Does it make me question the logic of CMS management? CERTAINLY Will my children learn and grow this year? YES I will guide them. The level of education that CMS is providing is the "minumum standard" and thats not acceptable.

The principals are bullied too and most are afraid to disagree with any policies or procedures. Some can be encouraged to leave even when data is good by simply finding ways to inconvenience, embarrass, etc until the person is fed up.

Glad to hear that Trish Sexton is doing well as principal at Pinewood. I remember your positive profile of Ms. Sexton during her first year at Pinewood. January 2009 equity committee report was quite a contrast. Predicted dire future for Pinewood under Ms. Sexton.

"At last Wednesday's BOE Meeting, I looked Dr. Morrison right in the eye, and talked to him about his "Employee Town Hall Meetings." I said if he is really interested in hearing the truth from teachers, that he cannot have ANY school-level leadership, nor ANY Central Office personnel at these meetings."

It is not the teachers or even the students who are the problem at CMS. As is the case with problems at any large organization, 80% are caused by the leaders, i.e., it is the cUlture. Since the only way to solve them is to can the leaders, most things never change. Thus, First Onion went down, BofA has its problems, Chiquita is broke, conventions are job programs paid for by the taxpayers, the reval was corrupt, etc.,etc., etc,

I stand by my earlier comment that 80% of the ivory tower people have got to go to straighten CMS out. Only a government service can stay in business that is this incompetent. A private company that succeeds learns early on that it is it's front line employees that are its reason for success.

10:29- The CMS BOE could only be so lucky if Mrs. Mast runs and is elected. She has more knowledge and accountability standards on one crumb compared to current BOE staff. Look at who is at the helm EES really ! About 4-5 of them most likely would have problems with current STEM core course subjects.

Bill , I agree ethical people are always going to be questioned by the unethical (kojo,EES,ILK). They will have to come clean or wont be able to handle the heat in the kitchen. Christine is not going to he altered one bit in her approach to ethics by those knuckleheads. She does it one way the correct way with morals.

Ms. Mast's goal is the destruction of CMS. Well, that's a little negative. She wants Mecklenburg to be three school districts each with a unique ability to provide an education tailored to specific groups of students. Her reasons are honorable but unsupported by enough politicians. But she's young with plenty of time to shape a better plan. She lacks an understanding of CMS, so she asks a lot of questions that make her appear to be wise. An example of how difficult is her task is the failure of the effort in 2007 to overturn the 1/2 cent sales tax for the light rail. That was a well armed group that ran up against the same people that would fight a split of CMS.

Years ago when there used to be disagreements in the community on things like this, people would work together to come to some amicable solution. However in the recent 10 to 15 years, the arrogance of the power brokers have risen to a new height. Typically they simply resort to character assasination, distortion of the truth, promises of shiny things to get the votes, etc.

12:35 - I am not sure Mrs Mast would want to "destroy" CMS. Frankly I am not sure their is room for more destruction Pete and Hughie have done. She is a noble person and currently D-1 is not represented by anyone ethical. I think she will be a great change to the BOE. It will be tough since the Chamber will back Rhonda , but enough good people will come support Christine.

Maybe Ms. Mast needs to be forthwith. What is the purpose of SMART/SPARK as regards CMS? Is it on her agenda to ask Raleigh to create new not educationally disadvantaged school districts in the suburbs of Mecklenburg County?

If her goal, as she's stated many times, is to split the district then every decision or question she raises about CMS would be related to that. She would be pushing for almost all of D1 to be a separate district, so why would she care about the rest of the system? Self-serving at best, ineffective at worst.

The only way to get traction for splitting up CMS into 3 districts is prove funding for the urban district will not suffer. If you can figure out the total property values of each district and they all are relatively equal, then there is a chance the state legislature will hear you. Obviously the uptown big boys have that property value to throw in the pot but you've got to factor in the property tax forgiveness the county may have given to get certain shiny things built or companies to move here.

Another factor might be how to do the same and end up with relatively equal funding per student out of that. With that thought, the student density in the urban area is not as great as in the suburbs. After that, you've got to look at the cost it would take to get suburban schools down to the population density of urban schools. Many suburban areas are still short capacity. As long as the county continues overall support of the capital plan, then we only have to debate the operational plan.

Good luck. Sounds like something I'd like to roll up my sleeves with some folks and figure out a proposal.

Name a school that focuses on educating the whole child and grows respectful, responsible citizens? Name a school where the principal is committed to doing what is right for staff and students, even when some families don't want to accept that responsibility? Name a school where a culture of respect for teachers as professionals is the norm? Name that school in CMS? Easy - Winding Springs Elementary.

OH, PLEASE! Winding Springs? Really? Has the principal changed?Are you sure that you are not referring to the Assistant Principal? Is M.M. still getting there late? Is she still intimidating teachers? Is she still held up in her office?You must be referring to the assistant principal OR you are the Narcissist principal bragging about yourself!

It usually takes much more energy to create a culture of fear than it does to create a culture of respect and compassion. A system of any size - whether corporate, governmental, or non-profit - can instill respect and intolerance of "bullying" from its leaders. If there is zero tolerance for that type of leadership at all levels in an organization together with a policy of "absolutely no retaliation" for speaking out if it happens, there is certainly a possibility for behavior change and a shift in culture. Barry and Bevelyn's letter is a step in a positive direction. If CMS leadership is smart, it will take their letter and all the responses very seriously. As adults, surely we want to be role models so that the children the system is teaching will become respectful citizens. That's a worthwhile goal for CMS!

Wiley , who funds the Lake Norman Chamber maids? Yeah the Charlotte Chamber. what a great influence they have been on CMS. Who paid for EES ticket to London CHamber. Whos bro is leading the Chamber? MorganWhos bro does not live in Mecklenburg County? Morgan Whos Bro moved to the County so his hanicapped child could get better services? Timmy Morgan the advantage guy. If you think for a second that Davis , Morgan , Lennon and a few others are not influenced by the Chamber and a few large corps you are clueless.

Let us not forget that the pervasive low morale of teachers that we see in CMS today was created by design. Unfortunately, many of the school board members now seated gladly signed on to Peter Gorman’s agenda to remove top teachers at any cost. Thank goodness this is coming out across America. Some advice for teachers… document everything, especially if you are an experienced teacher given the task of making sure new hires are successful.

WC, Poor guy the LK NM Chamber was started by the Chlt Chmbr. EES has not idea who was going to pay for the ticket , but the Chamber did provide it. Lucky for her the trip was canceled. EES has nothing to do with Rhonda Lemmon stop linking the 2. I link the Lemmon with Timmy Morgan, Bobby Morgan, Eric Davis (since the chamber feeds him clients for his business). I think its a man and woman on the grassy knoll with a TFA promotion shirt on ! Go Gormanator well done. You need more basic education on how it works let me know. Or as Project Lift says HOLLA.

WC , Since your so knowledgable about chamber events howz about you go ask Bobby Morgan boutz it? Or Timmy he can help. I said nothing about R or D running anything. I do agree that the D's are lackies for Kojo//NAACP. Chamber is about getting money from business bullpen in return for contracts and influence. Get that fella and if you need more data go to a meeting at Chamber. They dont write about their influence thats why they go out of town with a "select group" that they charge a fee too. Its a way of elemenating free press much like the Mafia did with no open meetings. Its simple "bro" rock with it.

As I go into my 13th year of teaching with CMS, I sit online looking for another job. Why? Administrators make it impossible for teachers to do their jobs well. Time for CMS to go back and research BEST practices in the classroom. Or how about this? Let's do away with all the administrators and see what our test scores do. Let the teachers run the schools. I'd be willing to bet my pathetic salary that if teachers were given the freedom and flexibility to do what they know is best for kids, we would see tremendous growth. Sadly, I'm a very good, highly qualified, National Board Certified teacher, but I do not think I will make it 17 more years to retirement. If I were Dr. Morrison I'd have some serious talks with the power hungry administrators running our schools.

I thought it was most interesting to come to a conclusion after all the strategic staffing presentations, etc. Most noticeable was how a high poverty school could make substantial improvements and was not a target via strategic staffing, WWS, etc.

Secondly, to take such overwhelming coodoos for the academic improvement for one strategic staffing school when all the improvement is totally attributable to the change in demographics at the school.

Lastly, it is easy to draw the conclusion that the best way to help any of these schools is to STOP HELPING THEM!

Mr. Morrison needs to take a good hard look at the Human Resources with their intimidating tactics and politics. How many qualified teachers have NOT been hired because of politics? How many have been forced to resign through intimidation?

Wiley, when you wake up come up for air. Get your head out of Bob Morgans a....... and get a clue. You have not been involved with any Chamber functions and have not met with those people to see the money trail. Unless your one of them and pay to play the game no deals.